Can you breastfeed in church?

[bobthebaby]

Probably won't need to - but my ds may need a little time on the boob at his christening service as when he gets overwhelmed his eczema flares up. Obviously can't leave the church in case his bit comes up. What do people think?

u'd bottle feed in church, so why not breastfeed. as long as your discreet (and tbh i cant see how u can be anything but discreet) then i wouldnt see a problem.

I am sure there are lots of different opinions about this one. My opinion is that if your baby is hungry, you should be able to feed him. Do you feel comfortable doing it ? If you don't, you could perhaps express some milk for the service ?

I'd say absolutely yes. I assume before everyone had the option of bottles most babies were breastfed in church.

I sat behind a woman at a wedding last summer who was breastfeeding - no one batted an eye.

But if you feel uncomfortable doing it, why not have a chat with the vicar - (s)he might be able to suggest somewhere else to sit and co-ordinate with you just at which point you'll be called so you can be prepared.

If you are happy to breastfeed in public, then go for it. Church is not different to anywhere else (God is there when you're bf'ing in a cafe, too!). And God invented bf'ing and he loves your baby so I should think he'd be quite happy for you to bf in church. DD and I did it every week for 9 months. Usually for most of the service but then dd was slow The only issue might be if it is a big old church - it might be cold

I breastfed in Church no problem. Don't worry about it, your baby's needs come first.

I,ve done it and was encouraged to do so by the reverant(sorry don,t know how to spell it).I have done it a few times including her christening and no one batted an eye lid. After all breastfeeding is one of gods great inventions so how can anyone complain.

could also ask before hand if there is anywhere within the church you can go.At ours they have a small chapel next to the pews and she said breastfeeding mum's often go in there.

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Most churches I have been in have pictures of a woman breastfeeding on the walls - Jesus and Mary! If it's OK for the mother of God to be pictured breastfeeding, then I'm pretty sure it's OK for you!

Just what I was thinking, Aloha - surely Jesus was bfed.

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I have! I went into the back to do it but the rector got cross and made me come back into the pews

I can't see why not - I've seen lots of mums b/f in Church too !

I have too, many times. Loud slurping noises sometimes caused a few raised eyebrows!

'Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven'

Agree with the rest. I've also seen loads of Titian-esque paintings of the Madonna breastfeeding the baby Jesus. Go for it!

I breastfed in church every week when my 2 were small, and will be doing it again in a few weeks time I am sure! In fact, it was a great way to keep them quiet during the sermon, I always found, although I know there were times my Vicar found it just a little weird (I could tell from the way he didn't look at me - we're a small congregation!). Babies have to be fed when they need it, and church is no exception. In fact, feeding might be a good way to calm him down after the sprinkling bit!
Far less disruptive than my ds who likes to go for a little walk these days and has ended up at the altar before we could get out to catch him!

All excellent advice. Thanks. I guess I was just worrying a bit because ds will be 9 months old and I thought there might be a bit of "well he doesn't really need that does he?" from the older congregation.

Most Churches have a side room/chapel/or porch that would be a compromise. I don't think there's any problem with bf in the church though. I am surpised that so many people have seen images of the Madonna bf. In fact it is rare to see paintings and statues of her even pregnant due to medieval - Victorian sqeamishness at the idea of the reality of her humanity.

Yes, definately, have done it plenty of times and expect I will need to at ds's christening at end of Nov - if I do will think of you doing the same somewhere sometime!

Yes indeed you can, for all the reasons already given, but bear these things in mind:-

1. I myself had no trouble being discreet but dd made huge slurping, snuffling and smacking noises which echoed round the church at reverent moments. This sometimes drove me to the vestry.

2. Don't hide in the back row at a christening unless you've checked that the font is at the front. I was once caught bf'ing with three friends (all in a row) when the vicar unexpectedly invited the whole congregation to troop to the back for the sprinkling. They all stood in the aisles, the font was behind us, and we were in their direct line of vision. Mind you, everyone was fine about it and if there had been any complaints it would certainly have got back to me. But if I'd realised, I'd have gone in the front row.

Eemie! Hope the christening goes well, Bobthebaby - dd is being done in December.

mimm, an extremely rapid search of the national gallery collection online showed 10 nursing madonna & childs (some interesting latching techniques!) - I really can't agree they are rare.

good luck bobthebaby!